MUSEUM STRATEGY,

EXPERIENCE DESIGN &

EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT

View through an arched window with multiple pictures of outdoor scenes, including a beach, trees, and a body of water, with a wooden floor in the foreground.

We're museum people, designing for museum people. With decades of combined experience in strategy, design, and crafting exhibitions that explore culture, history, politics, science, and the full spectrum of human experience, we understand the arc of taking a project, small or large, from concept to completion.

Let us put our expertise to work for you!

Colorful, futuristic corridor with curved walls illuminated in pink, purple, and blue lights, with several people engaging with interactive displays.
Vintage street scene with a red trolley car, a lamp post, and various storefront signs including '16th St. Yard,' 'Wells St,' 'Rexnord 827,' 'Milwaukee Street Railway,' and 'North Side Lumber & Fuel Co.' at night.
Interior view of an exhibition space with a large planetary model hanging from the ceiling, showing Saturn with rings, and posters of other planets like Jupiter and Neptune on display.
A boy reaching out to touch a model of the Earth in an educational exhibit about space and Earth's interior, with other visitors and space-themed displays in the background.

WHAT SETS US APART

We excel at translating ideas into compelling narratives and materials that motivate donors and stakeholders to help make ambitious projects a reality.

Because our team members have all managed exhibition development as museum staff, we know how to:

• Develop materials for fundraising that resonate with donors

• Partner with curators and tap into their expertise

• Work within realistic budgets while still creating exhilarating experiences 

• Deliver on time and on budget

Our team provides you with a nimble, cost-effective, knowledgeable partner, whether you need help building the initial idea, or a team to execute the full gamut from idea to opening day.

Our Story
People exploring a vibrant, neon-lit exhibit with glowing geometric patterns and a touch screen display.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Visitor Analytics & Overall Exhibition Strategy 

• Exhibition Planning

• Fundraising Materials Development

• Narrative Framing

• Spatial Design

• Digital Design

• Video Production

• Budget Planning

• Project Management

• Installation Bid Execution & Build Supervision

Permanent Exhibits

The Intuit Museum needed a partner to oversee the design and buildout of their central exhibition, Henry Darger: The Room Revealed. Together with Intuit Staff, Mansonfield Partner Julian Jackson facilitated brainstorming sessions, imagined a unique, immersive art exhibit spanning multiple spaces, developed detailed designs, oversaw animators and fabricators, and delivered on-time and under budget.

See Project Gallery
A cluttered office or study room with wooden walls and furniture, two windows with display screens, a fireplace, and stacks of books, papers, and magazines on the table and shelves.
An art exhibit featuring a large framed painting depicting multiple figures and scenes in vibrant colors. The artwork is hung on a white wall with accompanying descriptive text, and the room has hardwood floors and white walls with a cloud mural near the ceiling.
Display case featuring a black electric guitar, framed picture of Michael Jackson, and a black jacket with gold embroidery on a patterned backdrop.
Exhibit of vintage costumes including a gray suit, a red dress, a colorful floral dress, a bright green suit, and formal black tuxedo with bow tie, displayed on mannequins behind glass at a museum.
Museum display with a knitted object in shades of orange, red, and yellow, a framed figurative artwork in the background, a small image of a woman in a sports bra and shorts, and a large metallic star sculpture with concentric rings behind it.

Temporary & Traveling Exhibits

Mansonfield partner Karen Herman led the development of Stay Tuned: Rock on TV for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame., documenting the intersection of our favorite music and must see television. The universality of this artifact and media centered exhibition and its modular construction makes it a perfect traveling exhibition. e.g. Mansonfield partners adapted it for Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Media and incorporated Chicago’s unique artifacts and history into the exhibition.

See Project Gallery
An indoor exhibit space with a large display case and informational panels. The case contains musical instruments and memorabilia, including guitars and a necklace. The lighting is natural, coming through a glass ceiling and windows.

Non-Traditional Experiences

A metallic bronze-colored sculpture depicting a musical scene with a sheet of music, a trumpet, and several musical notes, set on a wooden surface.

Experience design can increase understanding and enthusiasm in almost any environment. When Self-Help Home wanted to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a walk through the amazing history of their founders, donors, staff and residents, they turned to Mansonfield Studio to create the experience. Mansonfield created concepts, designs in oversaw, digital and physical construction to guide visitors from the shadow of the holocaust, to a present of safety and care.
(Opening soon)

See Project Gallery
Historical photograph showing five people in front of the debris of a destroyed building and a large wrecking truck labeled 'National Wrecking Company' in Chicago, Illinois.
A white cloth napkin with red embroidered text arranged in a spiral pattern. The embroidery includes the words "SALUTE" and various other text, along with decorative lines and symbols.
Exhibition display with three sections: a timeline showcasing self-help books from the 1930s to 2050s, a generational story section with family photos and a menorah, and a historical display about Jewish traditions with photos, texts, and a welcome message.
Map of Evanston, Michigan featuring regional natural areas, Evanston natural areas, and featured areas such as Ladd Arboretum, Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary, Harbert-Payne Park, Lighthouse Beach, and Lovelace Park, with descriptions and a map key.
Map of Evanston, Michigan featuring regional natural areas, Evanston natural areas, and featured areas such as Ladd Arboretum, Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary, Harbert-Payne Park, Lighthouse Beach, and Lovelace Park, with descriptions and a map key.

ABOUT US

Mansonfield Studio  began as an informal collaboration on assignments that required a mix of expertise that brought our three principles together. We have worked across a broad spectrum of clients and leadership roles in spaces that have explored music, labor, civil rights, community history, and other topics. Some have been heavy with artifacts; others entirely photo-driven. The projects have ranged from small installations of $100,000 to massive multi-year transformative projects. We’re excited to work with you!

Read more
A woman with light brown, shoulder-length hair smiling in front of a colorful, geometric patterned background. She is wearing glasses, a black top, and a silver chain necklace.
A man with curly brown hair dressed in a white and black jacket, standing outdoors with rolling hills and trees in the background.
A woman with shoulder-length gray hair with blue streaks, smiling, wearing a black top and a pearl necklace, standing in front of a yellow textured background.

  • "Julian Jackson of Mansonfield was a critical addition to our internal team, helping us create a one-of-a-kind immersive experience that is wowing our guests."

    DEB KERR - CEO of the Intuit Museum

  • "Mansonfield treated our history with the care and reverence it deserved."

    LISA FINGERHUT CARLTON, Chief Growth Officer at Self-Help Home

  • "Mansonfield was an exceptional partner, expertly designing a clear and informative display. Their blend of precise data visualization, design aesthetic, and fabrication expertise resulted in a great success, beautifully highlighting Evanston's natural areas and bike routes to enhance our educational exhibit."

    SHANE CARY, Architect for the City of Evanston